Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Forklift Driver in Illinois is $42,191 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a Certified Forklift Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
Recruit with AI
Certified Forklift Driver Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $45,710 | $3,809 | $879 | $22 |
| Average | $42,191 | $3,516 | $811 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,585 | $3,215 | $742 | $19 |
Innovated Staffing - Woodridge, IL
DS Containers - Batavia, IL
Novolex - Woodridge, IL
Elite Staffing Inc. - Bolingbrook, IL
A Certified Forklift Driver's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Forklift Driver's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Certified Forklift Driver | $41,840 |
| Intermediate Level Certified Forklift Driver | $42,441 |
| Senior Level Certified Forklift Driver | $43,681 |
| Specialist Level Certified Forklift Driver | $43,850 |
| Expert Level Certified Forklift Driver | $44,132 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Certified Forklift Drivers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Certified Forklift Driver roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 43% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Certified Forklift Driver positions in Transportation or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Certified Forklift Driver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $50,629 | $24.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $47,254 | $23.0 | 12% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $46,410 | $22.0 | 10% |
| Software & Networking | $46,410 | $22.0 | 10% |
| Construction | $45,566 | $22.0 | 8% |
Understanding how a Certified Forklift Driver's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $45,710 | $3,809 | $879 | $22 |
| Average | $42,191 | $3,516 | $811 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,585 | $3,215 | $742 | $19 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Forklift Driver job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Bloomington, IL
Costco Wholesale Corporation | Bloomington, IL
Warehouse Forklift Operator. Operates a stand-up electric forklift to move pallets of merchandise and equipment throughout the warehouse. Hand stacks produ... more
7 Days Ago
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Riverside, IL
Costco Wholesale Corporation | Riverside, IL
Warehouse Forklift Operator. Operates a stand-up electric forklift to move pallets of merchandise and equipment throughout the warehouse. Hand stacks produ... more
7 Days Ago
Staffmark
Des Plaines, IL
Staffmark | Des Plaines, IL
Now Hiring Forklift DriverLocation Des Plaines, IL Pay Rate:$18.00 per hour Shift:Monday Friday 1 PM 9:30 PMStack Up Success:Forklift Driver Jobs with Seri... more
8 Days Ago
Absopure
Woodridge, IL
Absopure | Woodridge, IL
Warehouse And Manufacturing PositionCandidates must have a focus on safety and urgency while supporting our warehousing and manufacturing operations in Woo... more
8 Days Ago
Lineage Logistics
Rochelle, IL
Lineage Logistics | Rochelle, IL
Job TitleSchedule:Friday-Sunday 6AM-6PM$22/hrUse stand-up reach forklift to move products, equipment, and materials while following all regulatory and comp... more
8 Days Ago
Partners Personnel
North Aurora, IL
Partners Personnel | North Aurora, IL
Forklift OperationSafely operate forklifts, including sit-down, stand-up, or reach trucks, to move materials within the warehouse. Load and unload goods fr... more
8 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
